keelson noun. ['ki:ls(ǝ)n, 'kɛl-] Also kelson ['kɛl-], (orig.) kelswayn & other vars. ME.
[Rel. to and perh. from Low German kielswīn, from kiel KEEL noun¹ + (prob.) swin SWINE, used, like cat, dog, horse, for a timber.]
1. Nautical. A lengthwise timber or metal structure running internally along the bottom of a ship, parallel with and bolted to the keel, fastening the floor timbers or plating and the keel together. ME.
b. A structure in the hull of a flying-boat or the float of a seaplane, analogous to the keelson of a ship's hull. E20.

2. = KEEL noun¹ 1. rare. M19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲